GertrudeEileenDanis

SACO - Gertrude Eileen Danis died at her family's home on Nov. 14, 2018.

She is survived by her husband Rodolphe Danis; son David Danis; grandsons Sjhon Frazier, Jason Frazier, Joseph Danis; brother Richard O'Brien; and many loving great-grandchildren. Her two daughters Colleen and Karen, both lived good lives that sadly were much shorter than she had hoped they would have been.

After graduating from Old Orchard Beach High School, she married Rudy and they moved to Saco where they started a long life together. While raising two teenage daughters and a son, she continued her education with a double major Bachelor's Degree from Mid Tennessee State University.

As her widowed mother got older and needed assistance, she added a daily care visit to her schedule. She never missed a day with her mother regardless of work, illness, or weather. She did that every day until her mother passed away.

It would be misleading to say that people with a disabling disease are defined by the disease or have to live their lives in two parts, before and after the disease takes hold. Multiple sclerosis is a vicious disease that did more than just take away her physical abilities, but she did not let it diminish her life. Her intelligence, work ethic, and perseverance are some of the traits that kept her from ever giving up.

The internet and a laptop allowed her to explore the world when her body was unable to. She was an avid reader who would often read more than one book at a time. The loss of dexterity made it difficult to turn the pages, frustrating at times, but it did not stop her. She became a part time volunteer tutor helping adults to learn to read.

These few words are a poor representation of the myriad of things she accomplished and actions that defined her life. I cannot describe the sadness of losing her, but am thankful for the lifetime of good memories she left those of us who knew her.

As per her wishes, no service will be scheduled. Arrangements are in the care of Dennett, Craig & Pate Funeral Home, Saco.